Scotties Make The Grade

Now it's official. The 2014-15 Scottie boys basketball and wrestling teams played with smarts.

Each received the MHSA/Army National Guard Academic All Team Award as the top academic team in its sport in Montana Class B during the winter season.

The wrestlers led the state with a 3.370 grade point average during a season in which the team sent six members to State and placed highly or won a number of invitationals.

On the court, the basketball Scotties won the District 2B regular season and tournament titles and finished with a 20-3 record. In the classroom, they earned a state-best 3.679 average GPA.

“I know they're really good in the classroom,” basketball coach Norm Braaten told The Çourier. “Yeah, I've know it several years. It's not unexpected ...

“We always remind them to get their (schoolwork) done. But a lot of it comes from their strong values at home. That's why they're successful. They're great kids, great people, good athletes. It's fun to coach a group of kids like that, and they're going to be successful in life.”

Wrestling coach Jory Casterline said his staff tries to help reinforce goals and athlete grade standards that GHS sets, but credit for the academic honor goes to the wrestlers, their parents and educators.

“You know, I knew we had a group of smart kids,” Casterline said. “Mr. Flaten (activities director Brenner Flaten) was talking to us about nominating us for this award. I thought we had a chance.”

Academic All Team program representatives will visit Glasgow to present the award certificates.

Also recognized as tops academically in Class B: the Ronan girls basketball team with a 3.797 GPA.